Five Hackers Jailed for Sharing Intimate Pics of Hundreds of Victims
Five men have been locked up for a total of 13 years after hacking into private accounts and leaking intimate photos of hundreds of victims online. The police probe ended with the sentencing of Samuel Robins, 35, from Westcliff, on Monday 14 September at Basildon Crown Court.
Robins Bags 50 Months for Hacking and Sharing Private Pics
Robins was sentenced to 50 months for multiple offences including unauthorised access to computers and sharing private sexual photos to cause distress. He admitted the charges, linked to hacking between 2013 and 2016, where he accessed data from five women, then posted their explicit images and contact details online.
“Whether Robins carried out these offences due to some grudge he held against the young women, or simply in order to live out some kind of sexual fantasy is not clear,” said His Honour Judge Andrew Hurst. “What is very clear is that he completely disregarded each of his victims’ rights to keep their private data safe. He wanted to make them feel publicly embarrassed and ashamed.”
Other Hackers Jailed in Major Cyber Crime Bust
- Craig Steinburg, 32 – 34 months for hacking 272 iCloud accounts from 2015 to 2017.
- Tony Spencer, 39 – 32 months for hacking, voyeurism, and sharing stolen photos online.
- Robert Field, 39 – 32 months for breaking into 297 accounts to steal private pictures for sexual gratification.
- Dominik James, 34 – 8 months for hacking 30 iCloud accounts and sharing private photos.
Police Praise Cyber Crime Unit After Lengthy Investigation
Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Truss hailed the operation as a “major success,” highlighting the impact on mostly young women, aged 18 to 25. “These hackers captured intimate photos without consent for their own and others’ sexual gratification,” he said.
He stressed the seriousness of the offences and the lasting harm caused by posting private images online. “Once these pictures are out there, they can never truly be removed,” DCI Truss added.
Special praise went to Detective Sergeant Ian Collins and case officer DC Arran Holmes for their tireless work supporting victims and securing convictions.
“I hope this brings some closure to the hundreds harmed by these vile acts,” said DCI Truss.
